C h u r c h C a l e n d a r

Sunday, June 19th: Sunday of Holy PENTECOST

Father‟s Day

Saturday, June 25th: 2016 Parish Life Conference- Sts. Constantine & Helen Church,

71 Chandler Road, Andover, MA (hosted by St. George Church)

Sunday, June 26th: First Sunday after Pentecost

Outreach Committee during Coffee Hour

Tuesday, June 28th: 7:00 P.M.– Liturgy for Sts. Peter & Paul

Saturday, July 2nd: 6:00 P.M.– Arabic Liturgy

Sunday, July 3rd: Second Sunday After Pentecost

Monday, July 4th: Independence Day (church office closed)

Sunday, July 10th: Third Sunday of Matthew

Monday, July 11th: Ladies Society Dinner Meeting (details to follow)

Wednesday, July 13th: 7:00 P.M.– Parish Council Meeting (*please note date change)

Saturday, July 16th: 6:00 P.M.– PawSox Game

Sunday, July 17th: Sunday of the Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council

Sunday, July 24th: Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, July 31st: Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

St. Mary Church Family Day at the Masonic Youth Center-

(116 Long Street, Warwick, RI) **please note change of venue**

Friday, August 5th: 7:00 P.M.– Liturgy for the Transfiguration

REMINDER– New Church Email Address

Please use our new email address office@stmarypawtucket.org for all church corre-spondence.

ONLINE BULLETIN

The Bulletin is available online on our website at: http://stmarypawtucket.org

Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Sunday of Holy PENTECOST

A Note Regarding Holy Communion:

Since we understand Communion to mean that we have all things in common, sharing an

identical faith, only those who are members of the Orthodox Church and who have prepared

themselves through prayer, fasting, and recent confession may participate in Holy Communion.

We invite all, however, to partake of the blessed bread which is distributed at the dismissal.

Confessions are heard by special appointment. The Eucharistic fast begins at midnight on

Saturday and ends with the receiving of Holy Communion. Please see Fr. Elie if you have any

questions or for inquiries on how to become a full member of the Church.

Parish Council 2016: President: Salwa Khoury

Vice-President: Cindy Hayes

Secretary: Jamie Mitri

Treasurer: Fadia Kabak

Council Members: Joseph Samra III, Emad Amirhom, Scott Barnes, Lorice Hallal, Steven

Kilsey Jr., Holly Lazieh, Walid Nakhoul, Elmer Stanley (Church School), Linda Dvelis,

Hadeel Samaan

**Please feel free to contact Salwa Khoury at (401)434-8877 / stkhoury@cox.net or any

member of the Parish Council with any questions or concerns**

Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church 249 High Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Phone (401) 726-1202 Fax: (401) 729-1203 Web site: http://stmarypawtucket.org Email: office@stmarypawtucket.org

His Grace Bishop JOHN, Auxiliary and Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and New England

V. Rev. Father Elie Estephan 395 Brown St.-Unit 2, Attleboro, MA 02703

Cell- 1-(240) 205-9079

Schedule of Services

Sunday: Orthros (Matins) 8:45 a.m. Church School 11:15 a.m. Sunday: Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

Enter in Quietness, Rest in Prayer,

Worship in Reverence, Depart in Peace to Serve

O r t h o d o x V o c a b u l a r y

Pentecost

This is the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2). The Church applied the name Pentekoste = the fiftieth day, to the feast celebrating this event which may be considered the birthday of Christianity as an organized religion. In early times, the whole period between Easter and the Sunday marking the Fiftieth day after it was called Pentecost. During that time no fast was allowed, prayer was offered while standing, and the alleluia was sung more fre-quently. Now it is only the Easter week, from Easter Sunday to the Sunday of St. Thom-as, that both Wednesday and Friday are not considered to be fasting days.

Faith comes by hearing, because when we hear the Holy Scriptures we believe in the teaching of the Holy Spirit. This faith is made perfect by all the things which Christ has ordained; it believes truly, it is devout and it keeps the commandments of Him who has renewed us.

Why does the Lord command us to love our enemies and to pray for them? Not for their sake, but for ours! For as long as we bear grudges, as long as we dwell on how someone offended us, we will have no peace.

~Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

**SAVE THE DATE**

The Ladies Society will be having a Dinner meeting Monday, July 11th. More details to follow.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (Jn 16:7) The words of Jesus in St. John‟s gospel are clear: the sending of the Spirit depends upon the departure of Christ. St. Luke takes up the theme of the Spirit just before Ascension. He speaks of the power from on high with which the apostles will be covered. Just as he does in Acts, St Luke mentions the promise of the Father, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the fire of Pentecost. Returning from the Mount of Olives, the apostles live in expectation of the Holy Spirit; and they are full of joy, for they know that Christ will not leave them orphaned. He has promised them the Comforter. There are tem days between Ascension and Pentecost, days during which we wait, just as did the apostles in the upper room, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We prepare our-selves to receive the comforting Spirit. With the promise of the Spirit, Christ makes two more promises before leaving this earth. What are they? ~The promise to remain with his disciples until the end of the world (Mt 28:20). Christ is indeed mysteriously present in his Church. It is the Holy Spirit who manifests his presence in the sacraments. Just as the Bread of Life assem-bles all the grains of wheat into one loaf, so the Body of Christ assembles humanity into one Church. ~The third promise of Christ is that he will return in glory at the Parousia, at the Second Coming. On the icon, we see the apostles gathered around the Mother of God, their eyes turned up to heaven. Two angels invite them to await the glorious return of the Son of God: Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11) The group of apostles with the Mother of God represent the Church in the expectation of the second coming of Christ. As for the Lord, he blesses us with his hand and , by this gesture, he indicates that he remains with us until the end of the world, for his blessing never leaves us. Between Pentecost and the Parousia is the time of the Church, the time when we wait for the return of the Savoir. The Holy Spirit stirs up within us the desire to see Christ again, he calls forth his presence in us. For “the Spirit helps us in our weakness...the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words” (Rom 8:26). The Book of Revelation explains the exact meaning of these sighs, which hasten Christ‟s return: The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev 22:17,20) The Holy Spirit helps us to live in the expecta-tion, and at the same time reveals the fulfillment of the promise. For this is not an empty wait, projected into a distant future, a joy promised for another world. Already today, in the Holy Spirit, we have the foretaste of the Parousia. This revelation is given to us in the eucharistic lit-urgy. Indeed, the eucharist allows us to escape chronological, historical time, the succession of days, hours, and minutes. It allows us to live everything at once: the past, the present, and the future. For liturgical time is not subject to linear time. It allows us to know the externity of God, where “the past, the present, and the future somehow mysteriously coexist, where the „already‟ and the „not yet‟ meet one another.” This is why we call the eucharist “the divine liturgy,” for it is already participation in eternal life in God.

Sunday of Holy PENTECOST

Sunday, June 19th, 2016

Troparion of Pentecost: Tone 8 Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise, having sent upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them Thou hast fished the universe, O Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

Kontakion of Pentecost: Tone 8 When the High One descended, confusing tongues, He divided the nations. And when He distributed the fiery tongues He called all to one unity. Wherefore, in unison we glorify the most Holy Spirit.

THE ANTI-TRISAGION HYMN As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. (THRICE) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Have put on Christ. Alleluia. Dynamis! As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.

The Epistle Acts 2:1-11

Prokeimenon: Their voice has gone out into all the earth Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles

When the day of Pentecost has come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were be-wildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the part of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in their own tongues the mighty works of God."

The Gospel

John 7:37-52, 8:12 And on the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Gal-ilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Cemetery Plots

If you wish to purchase a cemetery plot at Walnut Hill Cemetery, the cost is $1,000. Please contact Ed Ayoub for more information or to purchase a plot.

P r a y e r L i n e

St. Mary ~ Internet Prayer Line

Prayer requests can be sent to us via the internet at

office@stmarypawtucket.org

All requests must be received by Wednesday noon to be included in that week‟s bulletin. Any requests received after that time will be included in the following week‟s bulletin.

Parking Lot

The parking lot across the street is to be used for elderly and handicapped parking only. Please use our other parking lot to park during church services.

Well it‟s that time of year again. It‟ s time for the parishioners of St. Mary‟s to take our hot dog-eating and PawSox-cheering talents to McCoy Stadium for a Pawtucket Red Sox baseball game.

This year the PawSox have agreed to wear traditional Arab keffiyeh headdresses instead of baseball caps*, and in true Arab tradition they will start the game 45 minutes later than scheduled*. Additional highlights include the 7th inning dubke line led by Fr. Elie*.

(*these promises are not guaranteed)

We‟re looking to go to the game on Saturday July 16 at 6pm. Tickets are $12 each, and include $2 in credit that can be redeemed for other items purchased in the stadium.

Please contact Phil G. Ayoub at phil_ayoub@yahoo.com or see him in his corner in the back of the church to reserve tickets.

Coffee Hour Sponsorships

The Parish Council has decided to implement a new system to organize our

coffee hours. There are two ways to handle this: when a couple, family, or

an individual decides to sponsor the coffee hour, you may do it on your own

which entails purchasing the pastry & juice, making the coffee, setting up

the table, and cleaning up. The second option is to donate $100 to the

church so that a Parish Council member will handle the coffee hour on your

behalf.

Please make check to St. Mary Church for coffee sponsorship and earmark “Coffee Hour”.

If you would like to sponsor a coffee hour, please call the

church office and speak with Sheryl.

** ALL Coffee hour’s will now be held at the

Parish Center following Liturgy.**

~Please consider sponsoring a Coffee Hour~

Date: Sponsored by: Sponsored for:

June 19, 2016 The Kilsey Family Miss Mary R. Kilsey (memory) June 26, 2016* Fadi & Hadeel Samaan Health of their Family

July 3, 2016 Open for sponsorship July 10, 2016 Dr. Zeyad & Norma Morcos Health of Elias Morcos July 17, 2016 His Daughters & Their Families Fred Hallal (1 year) July 24, 2016 The Kilsey Family Ethel Kilsey (1 year) July 31, 2016 St. Mary Church Family Day August 7, 2016 Open for sponsorship August 14, 2016 no coffee hour St. Mary Church Feast August 21, 2016 Open for sponsorship August 28th, 2016 Open for sponsorship September 4, 2016 Open for sponsorship September 11, 2016 Elie & Julia Karam Health of Naji upon his graduation September 18, 2016 Open for sponsorship September 25, 2016 Open for sponsorship October 2, 2016 Open for sponsorship October 9, 2016 Open for sponsorship October 16, 2016 Open for sponsorship October 23, 2016 Open for sponsorship October 30, 2016 Open for sponsorship November 6, 2016 no coffee hour 2016 Annual Holiday Bazaar November 13, 2016 Open for sponsorship

PRAYERS ARE BEING OFFERED FOR GOOD HEALTH AND BLESSING OF:

Kevin Hashway Mark Hashway Offered by: Elaine Wilbur

Edward & Lillian Betor Paul & Kerrie Betor Thomas & Lynn Marcotte Matthew & Adrienne Dykstra Peter Marcotte Laurice Zambie William & LaVerne Ameen Great-Granddaughters Joelle & Rose Dykstra Great-Grandson, Daniel Thomas Dykstra Offered by: Edward & Lillian Betor Ed Ayoub Offered by: Philip & Bette Ayoub Philip G. Ayoub Leah, Bianca & Johnna Macaruso Michael, Maria, Mark & Meika Matook Offered by: Nora Matook Andrea Swistak Stephanie & Jeff Caplan Offered by: Elaine Swistak Joyce & Herbert Trabulsi (on their 50th Wedding Anniversary) Offered by: Ray & Leila Trabulsi

PRAYERS ARE BEING OFFERED IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Miss Mary R. Kilsey (an extraordinary Aunt & Godmother) Offered by: Nieces & Nephews- Mr. Amen Kilsey Mr. Frederick Kilsey Mr. & Mrs. Steven & Patricia Kilsey Miss Joyce Kilsey Mr. Jeffrey Kilsey Miss Mary R. Kilsey Offered by: Grand Nieces & Nephews- Jason & Razan Kilsey Jarrod & Shannon Kilsey, Nick & Zachary Todd & Jenn Kilsey, Katherine, Charlotte & Nathan Lisa & Michael Andrews, Hailey & Michael Melissa Kilsey Melanie & Patrick Kilsey Steven & Missy Kilsey Jeffrey Kilsey Lila Bargoot Offered by: Mr. & Mrs. Steven & Patricia Kilsey Don Aubin George David John Swistak Offered by: Barbara Aubin & Family Frederick Hallal Michell Hallal George Massiwer Edward Hallal George Hallal Leo Hallal John Massiwer Louis Hashway Offered by: Holly Lazieh & Sons & Bob Dessaint Charles Abdelahad John Swistak Offered by: Elaine Agaty

Coffee Hour

The Kilsey Family is proudly sponsoring today‟s coffee hour in loving Memory of Miss Mary R. Kilsey, an extraordinary Aunt & Godmother. May God rest her soul! Coffee Hour will be held at the Parish Center following Liturgy.

There will be a meeting of the Outreach Committee Ministry on Sunday, June 26th during the Coffee Hour. Please make every effort to attend because Fred Kilsey is giving us a report on the Soup Kitchen.

Thank you, Outreach Committee

PRAYERS ARE BEING OFFERED IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Fred Hashway Jr. Offered by: Elaine Wilbur

Ameen and Nayfey Sabath Petros and Afife Betor Helen Betor Fred Sabath Fred "Fritzie and Jimmy Sabath Offered by: Edward & Lillian Betor Leon T. Matook Offered by: Nora Matook John L. Swistak John S. Swistak Anthony Agaty Offered by: Elaine Swistak & Family

PRAYERS ARE BEING OFFERED IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

John Swistak Offered by: Nancy Penta & Family Lila Bargoot Fr. James Meena John Bargoot Offered by: Ray & Leila Trabulsi Evelyn McNeil George Matook Charles Abdelahad John Swistak Offered by: George & Sandra Matook & Family

Father’s Day

Today, St. Mary Church offers prayers of gratitude and thanks to all the Fathers and Grandfathers of our Parish on the occasion of „Father‟s Day‟. May God bless them and guide and protect them along with our Mothers to be the foundation of The Family in Christ.